Winter fishing for southeastern Utah

Because of repeated snowstorms and periods of melting, anglers may encounter multiple layers of snow/ice and slush atop the ice pack on many waters. The use of caution is recommended.

Cleveland Reservoir - The Cleveland-Huntington Irrigation Company is releasing water from Cleveland Reservoir. This creates dangerously unstable ice conditions. The DWR strongly advises all winter recreationalists to stay off this reservoir until it thaws in the spring.

Duck Fork Reservoir - Duck Fork has been replanted with Colorado River cutthroat trout and fingerling tiger trout. Duck Fork regulations will protect the Colorado River cutthroat population for future egg collection and fish transplant operations.

The DWR hopes that this measure will help keep the Colorado River cutthroat from being listed as threatened or endangered. If that were to happen, traditional fishing in southeastern Utah could be dramatically impacted. Tiger trout will provide for sport fishing at this water, beginning late 2004.

Electric Lake - Fishing has been good but access and drilling holes is tough due to snow depth, according to Todd Munford of Big Pine Sports in Fairview. The east shoreline near the dam in 25-40 feet of water has been the best place to fish. White Gitzits or olive jigs tipped with wax worms or night crawlers have worked best. Occasionally move the jig for best results.

Fairview Lakes - The lakes are accessible by snow machine only.

Gooseberry Reservoir - Access by snow machine only. Fishing can be good near the dam with green or white Gitzits tipped with a night crawler.

Huntington Creek - Access to the fly-only zone has been tough due to snow and ice. The creek is frozen over in many places due to low flows. Munford indicates that good fishing can be found in the lower reaches downstream. He recommends Glo bugs for fly fishermen or split shot and night crawlers for bait fishermen

Huntington North Reservoir - The reservoir was stocked with about 600 rainbow brood fish on September 16th. The Egan Hatchery planted another 700 half-pound (or better) brown trout in November and December. These fish were retired brood stock.

Huntington Reservoir - (above Cleveland Reservoir) Munford reports that fishing has been fair for tiger trout in eight to 12 feet of water in the middle of the lake along the east shoreline. Snow depths have made access very difficult.

Munford suggests that anglers use a 1/32 ounce white mini Gitzits tipped with a night crawler or wax worm. Munford recommends crawfish-scented Smelly Jelly in combination with the jig.

Hold the jig one to three cranks from the bottom. Sometimes the trout prefer a motionless jig. At other times, a slight jigging action every so often will entice a bite. Some fish in the one and a half to two pound class have been taken.

Scofield Reservoir - Munford reports that the ice is 10-16 inches thick. Fishing has slowed down. Fishermen on the northwest side of the island have been doing well in 12-15 feet of water just off the bottom using white Gitzits or a Kastmaster and ice fly combination tipped with a mealworm or night crawler.

Using a little Berkley trout formula or Smelly Jelly on the jig seems to enhance fishing action.